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Ocala
Friday, March 29, 2024

Over 1,000 worn U.S. flags collected by Ocala Police Department

The Ocala Police Department has collected over 1,000 worn American flags since launching its U.S. Flag Retirement Box in August of 2021.

The flag retirement program was initiated by Officer Coughlin, who is also a veteran. “When an American flag becomes worn or torn, there’s a respectful way to retire that flag. This retirement box is a way we can respect our national symbol and provide our citizens with this convenient service since we’re centrally-located,” said Coughlin.

Over 1000 retired U.S. flags collected by Ocala Police Department 3
The Ocala Police Department’s U.S. Flag Retirement Box was launched in August of 2021 (Photo courtesy of the Ocala Police Department)

The police department has partnered with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4209 to respectfully retire the collected flags through a solemn and ceremonial burning.

Over 1000 retired U.S. flags collected by Ocala Police Department 2
OPD has partnered with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4209 to retire the collected flags (Photo courtesy of the Ocala Police Department)
Over 1000 retired U.S. flags collected by Ocala Police Department 1
Each collected flag is retired in a respectful ceremony (Photo courtesy of the Ocala Police Department)
Over 1000 retired U.S. flags collected by Ocala Police Department
The retirement ceremony for each flag concludes with a ceremonial burning (Photo courtesy of the Ocala Police Department)

The U.S. Flag Retirement Box is located inside the main entrance of the Ocala Police Department’s headquarters, which is located at 402 S Pine Avenue. OPD accepts flags during normal business hours, and they should be folded respectfully before being placed into the box.